Prospective Mainland quarterback Denzel Houston 'quick as a cat'

Thursday

May 1, 2014 at 9:20 PMMay 2, 2014 at 12:07 AM

The rising sophomore is now the starting quarterback for Mainland.

By Brian Linderbrian.linder@news-jrnl.com

DAYTONA BEACH — Denzel Houston got off to a fast start in Mainland's first spring practice Thursday, and he said he doesn't plan on slowing down.In fact, the rising sophomore quarterback said Bucs' fans can expect to see something of a blur when their team has the ball this year.“We are trying to run a play every 14 seconds,” Houston said. “We want to run 80 plays a game.”And the tempo won't be the only thing fast about the way Mainland plans to play. Houston (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) said he runs a 4.6. His receivers — Wilfred Taylor and Kaylo Hannah — have been clocked with similar times, and tailback Adrian Killins has emerged as one of the Volusia/Flagler area's top sprinters.“The speed of the game will be incredible,” Houston said.Coach Scott Wilson said the change to the fast-paced attack was brought about by the emergence of Houston. As a freshman, he took reserve snaps at quarterback while seeing time at returner and wide receiver.And he showed flashes.“He scored a touchdown against Miami Central (in the playoffs) that got called back,” Wilson said. “But that play was incredible.”Of course, folks have known Houston was on his way for a while. Coming up through the youth leagues at Derbyshire Park, he started to generate buzz when he was just 4.“I went out to play flag, but I was better than all the other kids,” Houston said. “So they made me move up and play with the 8-year-olds.“I was still good because I was faster than everyone else.”Defensive end Jachai Polite said Houston is still pretty tough to catch up to.“He is as quick as a cat,” he said.Wilson said he has been impressed with how Houston has taken to the offense. There are always big expectations at Mainland, and thanks to the past two quarterbacks — Cameron Hadley and Trey Rodriguez — both of whom captured News-Journal Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading playoff runs — Houston has big shoes to fill. “I'm excited,” he said. “I'm ready.”And he is not the only one that believes that.“When people compare him to T.T. Toliver, who was an unbelievable athlete, I think they are pretty close,” Wilson said. “Especially when you consider the things he has done and can do and what year he is in. He is pretty special.”

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